Close encounter with Westlife

When news about the forthcoming performance in Manila of the boy band Westlife broke out, among the most excited reactions came from two young female fans from Ateneo who profess steadfast devotion and admiration for the music - and good looks? - of the five Irish lads.

Ma. Colleen Villanueva, 22, and Kristine Laurel de Castro, 18, have every reason to be jubilant about the prospect of seeing their pop idols perform right here in the Philippines in a one-night concert on May 9 at the Folk Arts Theater.

It will be some sort of a reunion between the two girls and the Irish group whom they met face-to-face for the first time six months ago in Kuala Lumpur as highlight of an all-expense-paid trip they won in connection with the Flying Without Wings To Malaysia promo of BMG Records Pilipinas.

Moreover, they are thrilled no end that they could share with thousands of local Westlife fans the unique and rare experience of listening to the music of what is widely hailed as "the biggest pop band in the world today."

Here, for the benefit of Funfare readers, are excerpts from Colleen's and Kristine's updated accounts of their initial, close encounter with Westlife and what local fans can expect from the group's May 9 gig at Folk Arts Theater:

It all started in November, 1999, when the two of us received calls from BMG Records informing us that we won a trip to Malaysia to see and meet Westlife. With us were Kristine's sister Gella and BMG Records' Mario Joson and Jamie Hipe on the four-hour flight to Kuala Lumpur where, to our pleasant surprise, we were booked at the same hotel as Westlife - the luxurious Sheraton Imperial Hotel.

It was quite amusing to find several fans with cameras in hand staking out the hotel lobby waiting for a glimpse of the lads. In fact, throughout our stay, fans littered the hotel. From the lobby to the upper floors (for the more adventurous ones). From early morning till midnight, we couldn't help thinking that it was just like back in Manila whenever boy bands are in town.

Early next morning, while waiting for the others to meet us for breakfast, we saw Westlife for the first time. We were standing in the lobby when suddenly they walked out of the elevators. As expected, they were met by flashbulbs and requests for autographs. We were observing the whole scene when, to our surprise, Shane and Bryan said hello to us as they passed by! It could be because we looked really cool and unaffected or really pathetic with our mouths hanging open. Either way, we didn't care. Shane and Bryan said hello to us! That's all that mattered.

With Mario and Jamie, plus all the other BMG representatives from all over Asia, a bus took us to the Sunway Lagoon Amphitheater where the showcase was to be held. When we got there, it was already filled to the rafters with screaming fans - girls and boys alike.

The show opened with BBMak - a British trio. They were pretty good, but we couldn't concentrate on them. We were just excited to see Westlife! When Westlife finally came on, the screams intensified. Everybody was on his feet dancing and singing along with the lads. They sang five songs from their album - Flying Without Wings, No No, I Have A Dream, If I Let You Go and Swear It Again. After which they were awarded gold and platinum records of their Asian EP by various territories - including the Philippines, of course! Mario and Jamie presented the plaques to them while we in the audience clapped like mad. Shane, Mark, Kian, Nicky and Bryan came back on stage for an encore. This time they sang a capella More Than Words and a reprise of If I Let You Go.

After the concert, we were escorted backstage. Everybody was requested to line up for the signing session. We had them sign quite a lot of things and took a lot of pictures as well. Towards the end of the line, the fans were told to only have one thing signed and no photos were allowed anymore. We were lucky that we were asked to go first (we were top priority, you know!).

The Westlife lads were really nice and took time out to talk to each of us though they were obviously tired. Shane told Colleen her shirt was really cool, which obviously made her day! Kristine gave them little Philippine jeepneys and they seemed to really like them. Shane mentioned that he had seen one of them somewhere though he has never been to the Philippines, and Bryan enjoyed zooming his across the table. We waited till everyone was done and requested for some more group photos. We felt bad doing so because they really looked tired, but they gladly obliged. That goes to show how genuinely nice they really are. After saying our thank yous and good-byes, we returned to the hotel fulfilled.

We never expected to see them again after the signing session. But during dinner, we did (well, one of them at least). We were in the hotel coffee shop having a late dinner. It was nine o'clock and we were all pretty tired after an eventful day. Suddenly, we glanced up to the floor above, and there casually leaning over the banister looking down at the diners was Bryan. He looked around for a few minutes and left. Then he came back and was walking around the coffee shop just a few tables away from us, talking on his mobile phone. We were about to invite him to have some coffee with us, when some fans spotted him and asked him to sign some autographs. He disappeared after a while and we assumed that he had (wisely) returned to his room. We didn't really mind that we weren't able to talk to him one last time. The day was perfect enough as it was.

When we heard a few weeks ago that they were coming for a show in Manila on May 9, we were ecstatic! We recalled that back in Malaysia, we wondered when their other Filipino fans could get to see them, as they were really friendly and sweet. In a talk with their tour manager, Anto, we asked him when Westlife would be coming to the Philippines. We were crushed. Can you believe he didn't even know where the Philippines was? So after we told him that it's quite near Malaysia, he simply said, "Oh, soon." With that vague answer, our hopes of them coming to the Philippines fell. We never thought they'd be here just six months after that. Fortunately, we thought wrong.

We're thrilled to see them in concert again. A live Westlife performance is definitely a treat for the eyes and ears. Their Filipino fans can expect a fabulous concert with brilliant music, amazing dance routines (in perfect synchrony) and five angelic voices that'll surely turn your knees to jelly. We assure you, you won't be disappointed. Unfortunately, though, aside from a fantastic show, the chaperones can expect non-stop deafening screams and a theater full of hyperactive females.

There'll be a little of everything for everyone, though. Soulful ballads and catchy dance tunes, not to mention five lads with heaps of charm; three gorgeous blondes, and for those who prefer dark-haired guys, two drool-worthy brunettes to feast your eyes on. What more could anyone want?

We were extremely fortunate to have won the contest and to have seen them perform live. We're absolutely thrilled that now, the rest of Westlife's Filipino fans will be able to see them in concert as well. So, if for some strange and inexplicable reason you're still hesitant as to whether or not you should spend your precious allowance on this concert, we're telling you from experience that it's worth every centavo. In fact, you'll really regret it if you don't. You'll be missing half your life... your West-life, that is!

A little piece of advice: get your eardrums ready.

And book your ticket reservations now as tickets, according to our concert scene mole, are selling fast at Ticketworld outlets (891-5610) located at all National Bookstore branches, Robinsons Department Stores at Robinsons Galleria in Mandaluyong and Malate, and CCP Box Office.